Athletic Bilbao confirm interest in players

Athletic's club president was quoted by Spanish newspaper AS - according to the Daily Mirror - as stating: "There was interest from Athletic in players, although it was focused on Illarramendi. There are not so many players: [Asier] Illarramendi, Raúl García, [Nacho] Monreal, [César] Azpilicueta.

"We have to be aware, monitoring– whether they continue at their clubs [or not], it’s because they are interesting."

Monreal unlikely to leave Arsenal

Monreal has been in and out of Arsenal's starting line-up since completing his £8.3 million move to the Emirates Stadium from Malaga in 2013.

The Spain international is competing with Kieran Gibbs for the left-back position, although he has played at centre-back on occasions this term.

Monreal has started in all three of Arsenal's most-recent Premier League fixtures - including the shock 2-0 victory over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium - and is unlikely to be sold by Arsene Wenger this summer.

Azpilicueta a key Chelsea star

Athletic Bilbao, however, stand even less chance of prizing Azpilicueta away from Chelsea.

Jose Mourinho's admiration for Azpilicueta is no secret - he once claimed Chelsea would win the Champions League with 11 Azpilicuetas on the pitch - and the fact the Spain international can play at both left and right-back makes him an extremely useful asset for the Blues.

Widely regarded as one of the best full-backs in the Premier League, it would take an astronomical bid to even tempt Chelsea into negotiations over the 25-year-old's sale.

Athletic Bilbao might have more luck with their pursuit of Real Madrid's out-of-favour midfielder Illarramendi - who is also wanted by Arsenal and former club Real Sociedad - but Garcia is extremely unlikely to swap La Liga champions Atletico for San Mames.

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